Racism requires vigilance

A friend of mine is in a citizen's group allied with Police, and I will receive from time to time alerts or updates from her based on Muskego Police communications.

Last week, I paid attention to one regarding a red van, which I admit seeing during the week, driving slowly.  I quickly realized that once again we were receiving another of about a dozen yellow pages that seem to spring up just below my mailbox.  What really caught my attention in the email was the statement that neighbors noted two black men driving the van.

Let me say I am not one to jump to conclusions, and I hate how much the race card gets played.  However, if any of these complainants had looked past the color of the skin of the driver or the passenger, they would have seen a bright yellow bag in their wake, explaining everything and avoiding police time in investigating.

Now I have received the following alert that I will pass along, as it proves even more disturbing.  While I doubt one is related to the other, I have to admit I thought of the earlier email when I read it:

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM

SPECIAL BULLITEN

February 25, 2010

On today’s date, the Muskego Police Department was contacted by a resident who received racist propaganda in their mailbox. The flyer included derogatory comments about African Americans and Hispanics. The flyer was found in a mailbox on Ladwig Dr., which is located off Woods Rd., between Bay Lane and Durham Dr. In speaking to the letter carrier in the area, it appears these flyers were placed in numerous mailboxes in the area.

As part of our investigation, our officers will be in the area, speaking with residents, and attempting to determine how widespread the distribution of this flyer was and if possible, identify the person responsible for it. Officers will be checking mailboxes in the area in an attempt to find more flyers that may contain evidence identifying its author. We will also be in contact with the United States Postal Inspector.

We ask that if you have received one of these flyers, please contact the police department at the non-emergency number, 262-679-4130. While we may not respond and take the letter, we will take your information and add it to our investigation.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time material like this has been found in Muskego, but it is the first time that it has been widely distributed to the general public. Any help you can provide in helping us identify the person responsible is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your help,

Lt David Constantineau

My face is currently red....but I'm not sure if it's from anger or embarrassment.